Long live the general

What Zhou Zhenxie said made sense, Huo Yi couldn't refute it for a while.He found that the emperor often had different views. Thinking about it, it was quite amazing, after all, the emperor just turned [-] this year.

Age has never restricted his thinking? And behavior, he already knew what he wanted to do? .

He was so sober.

Huo Yi recalled what he was doing at the age of 20, and couldn't help feeling ashamed.He also thought about the people around him. At this age, there really is no one who can do better than Zhou Zhenyan.

Zhou Zhenzhen continued: "Of course, since the reward has been given to you, what do you think? How? It's entirely up to you to use it."

Because they haven't seen Huo Yi for too long, they chatted all afternoon. Zhou Zhenzhen listened to him talk about the war for a long time, and didn't let him go back at night, leaving him to sleep in the palace. up.

Anyway, he is the emperor, and if he is so willful once in a while, no one can say anything?

Living Lang truthfully wrote in the "Forbidden China? Living Notes": The monarch and his ministers are hand in hand, Yuanding Emperor and Wanhu Hou Cheqi General Yi talked until late at night, stayed in Huo for the night, and fell asleep when he arrived...

When he left, he flipped through the "Forbidden China Daily Living Notes", which recorded in detail the various deeds of Emperor Yuan Ding since he came to power, and found that General Huo was mentioned too many times.Especially when General Huo went out to fight, the Holy One always said that it would be good if General Huo was here.

Qi Jilang closed the book silently, anyway, he was just a recording tool.

In the hall, Huo Yi was staring at the ceiling. The presence of Zhou Zhenyan next to him was too strong. He was stiff all over. He just wanted to run away after the emperor fell asleep.

"Brother Huo can't sleep?" Zhou Zhenyan said casually, "There were many kings and ministers sleeping together like this in ancient times, such as King Xia and his beloved minister Shang Zi, King Liu and his brothers..."

"General Shang has both civil and military skills. Wen can determine the universe, and martial arts can control all directions. King Xia naturally values ​​it." Huo Yi thought silently, but? General Shang's end is not so good? Well, after his death, some officials framed him For rebellion, merchants were copied and beheaded by the whole family, and they didn't even survive to the end of the Xia Dynasty.

Zhou Zhenzhen also thought about this, thinking about this? The example is not very good, and said: "There is also the first court Liu Wang, and the brother and wife are deeply in love. If you go out, you will ride in the same car, if you enter, you will sleep together, and you will die together." We will be buried together later..."

Huo Yi: Husband and wife love each other deeply? Is the word wrong? Your Majesty.

The two people were lying on the bed, and the relationship between the monarch and his ministers seemed to be blurred. Huo Yi chuckled and asked, "Your Majesty, do you yearn for the virtuous and good ministers of old?"

"That's not true." Zhou Zhenyan's voice was low and deep: "Anyway, our relationship must be better than theirs."

This was quite childish, and Huo Yi laughed out loud. He said: "Your Majesty is wise and loving, will you? There are many loyal and wise people who are willing to be used by you."

Zhou Zhenzhen turned sideways, propped his head and said, "But? If you want to attack the Huns in the north, you still need General Huo. Without General Huo around, I? Why? I have the confidence to act like this."

Huo Yi thought about it for a while, and asked, "The complete victory of this battle was not the result of one person. What do you think? Ask, how does His Majesty plan to reward General Li?"

Zhou Zhenyan asked back, "What do you think?"

"I dare not speculate."

Zhou Zhenxi tapped his fingers habitually, and said slowly: "The former emperor once told me that General Li has general talent, but he doesn't have handsome talent. He can lead an army, but he can't lead three armies. "

Li Yi is indeed very capable, but she hasn't reached the top level yet.People will? Say he is a good general? Not? Call him a legend.

"The first emperor didn't make him a marquis because he had many victories but no great victories." Zhou Zhenqian said, "The first emperor put him in the position of the county guard. People who need to be able to do things, the founding fathers are all in the court, because the court needs to talk about each other, he is not suitable for the court."

Huo Yi reacted quickly: "But? General Li spent half his life as a soldier, and he didn't get what he deserved. Your Majesty, according to your statement, rewards and punishments should be clearly defined, so as to convince the masses and make the soldiers feel at ease."

Zhou Zhenyan didn't expect that he would counterattack here. He almost laughed angrily, rolled his eyes and said, "General Huo, are you angry for others?"

"I don't dare." Huo Yi immediately said: "Your Majesty, the general who defends the city is also rare. Da Yue has been weaker than the Xiongnu for a hundred years, but it is precisely because of the general who defended the city that Da Yue did not fall into the hands of the Xiongnu." hand?."

It is often difficult for those who guard the frontier to see his achievements. Only after the fall of the frontier pass will everyone's eyes focus on it.

They are the high walls of Da Yue's silence, who have left their homes and haven't returned home for many years. They stand by day after day to keep their homeland safe.

"I implore Your Majesty to reward General Li and the border guards." Huo Yi's tone softened. He felt that it was too strange for him to say such things while lying on the bed, so he wanted to turn over and discuss this topic formally.

Zhou Zhenxi pressed his shoulder and said, "I? Will? Consider it."

Huo Yi felt that this was too indecent, he sighed secretly, and then heard Zhou Zhenyan ask: "Brother Huo, what else? What's the matter? If not, go to sleep. I will let Gongsun Yang and Tao Jiamu They came to the palace to discuss the establishment of a new county in the Hetao area."

Huo Yi wanted to go to sleep at first, but when he heard this, he opened his eyes and sat up.

"Set up a new border county?"

"That's right, you have to hold on to what you have worked so hard to win." Zhou Zhenxie said, "We'll talk about this tomorrow. Go to sleep first."

How could Huo Yi sleep here? He closed his eyes, his mind was full of Bian County affairs.

Zhou Zhenyan put down his arms and lay down on his back.At that time, he pulled Huo Yi and refused to let him go. In fact, it was just a momentary impulse. The conversation was so happy, he couldn't help but think about it.

He tried to fall asleep, but after a long while, he found that he couldn't fall asleep at all. The presence of Huo Yi next to him was too strong.

In fact, Zhou Zhenyan had never slept with anyone before. He encountered too many crises when he was a child, and he would feel very wary of getting too close to others—except when he was coaxed to sleep by Huo Yi once when he was a child. At that time, he had just experienced an assassination and couldn't fall asleep because of anxiety. Huo Yi stayed by his bedside and watched him fall asleep.

Back then, Xiao Zhou began to rely on Huo Yi unknowingly. Of course he didn't admit it in his heart, and felt that this kind of weak emotion made him not so strong anymore.

Now Zhou Zhenxie can say loudly, yes, I am relying on General Huo, why? Who made him so powerful.

This kind of famous general who is capable of writing and martial arts was caught by me, isn't that me? Good luck, God gave Dai Viet this talent, attacked the Huns in the north, and promoted our country's prestige.

Thinking? Thinking? Thinking, Zhou Zhen became more and more energetic. He simply turned sideways again and looked at General Huo with his head propped up. He had seen General Huo's high-spirited, modest and introverted appearance, but he hadn't yet I saw him lying on the bed, and felt very fresh for a while.

It was August, and it felt very hot at night. Huo Yi's hands were placed outside the dark quilt. There were thick calluses and fine scars on his hands, but they were still very beautiful, with well-defined joints. Like warm and clear jade.Zhou Zhenxie thinks that he is good-looking mainly because of his good-looking bones, so he is so worried about him day and night, and he won't fight for years?

Zhou Zhenxie stared at his slender white wrist with clear veins and blue blood vessels hidden under his skin. Under the moonlight at this time, it looked icy and cold.

Zhou Zhenyan has seen him hold a bow, arrow or sword with his hands. The surging sense of oppression is enough to scare any enemy. It is hard to imagine that this body can burst out with such a powerful force.

He stretched out his hand involuntarily, and the moment he touched Huo Yi's hands, Huo Yi opened his eyes and said very clearly: "Your Majesty, I think it is difficult to set up a new county, and the treasury cannot support it." This consumption. The business tax and property rights alone are just a drop in the bucket.”

Zhou Zhenyan: "..."

He said helplessly: "Do you have to? Now? Discuss this matter?"

Huo Yi sighed faintly.

From ancient times to the present, even the future kings and generals, who would not want to expand the territory, but this investment is too large, and ordinary dynasties simply cannot afford it.

After Zhou Zhenzhen brought it up, Huo Yi's heart was on fire, full of expectations, but he knew in his heart that this was impossible.

Seeing that he didn't want to sleep, Zhou Zhen asked, "What do you think??"

"Gongsun Yang, they will object." Huo Yi thinks that Tao Jiamu will certainly not? Agree, this kind of thing that wastes people's money is very contrary to the principles of Confucianism - militarism, waste of people's money, Huo Yi estimates His Majesty's reputation will not be good? up.

Zhou Zhenxie said: "That's just a subjective objection, what we need to solve is only an objective problem."

The most objective problem is that there is no money.

Huo Yi suddenly remembered how Zhou Zhenyan cared about Da Sinong today, and suddenly realized that His Majesty had this idea at that time, so he made some mental preparations for Zhang Laiqian in advance.

"I? I read a story before. It said that there is a god called Xi Soil, which can produce countless soils with just a handful." Huo Yi said yearningly: "If there is a thing that can produce countless grains and Soil of gold and silver..."

Zhou Zhen smiled: "The soil can produce food, gold and silver, but what is needed? The people keep farming and digging. It's like the Shrine of King Xia, which is called a miracle, and the trackers built it piece by piece with stones."

Huo Yi: ...It feels like their status has been reversed, obviously he is the older one?

Zhou Zhenxi put his hands on his eyes and said, "Go to sleep, it's too late today, don't discuss these things."

The moon outside has already risen to mid-air.

Just now leaning against the door? Dozed off by the voice inside, he was awakened by the sound inside. He leaned over suspiciously, and heard a vague sound coming from inside, but it disappeared soon.

What are you talking about so late?

Qi Qilang opened the book wonderingly, and added a few strokes on it: His Majesty had a long talk with General Cheqi throughout the night...

When Huo Yi woke up the next day, it was still dark, he subconsciously stretched out his hand to the side, and found that Zhou Zhenzhen had already left.

Huo Yi was startled, he actually got up later than the emperor!

He suddenly turned over, and the servant who heard the movement came over and said through the curtain: "General, Your Majesty said that you can go to Qilin Palace to find him after you wake up."

Qilin Hall is the place where the emperor often meets ministers and meets with his ministers to discuss matters.

After Huo Yi washed up, he hurriedly put on his outer robe and walked towards Qilin Hall.This time is about the same as what he usually takes, enough for him to go to the Martial Arts Field for a round of practice before going to court.

When he came out of the bedroom, it was still dark, and when he walked all the way to the Qilin Hall, there was already a faint light in the east.

The sky is full of unrestrained red clouds, just like yesterday's sunset, extremely gorgeous.

Huo Yi stopped for a moment, then turned and stepped into the Qilin Hall.

Now the emperor thinks? What to do? Generally, he is not willing to communicate with the ministers of the foreign court, so he did it quietly, but this time the matter is of great importance. Let's discuss this matter together.

In addition to the Sangong Jiuqing, Shangshuling Gongsunyang, Tao Jiamu, and a group of ministers from Shangshutai are all here.

Zhou Zhenxie said: "The Hetao area has belonged to Dayue since ancient times. In the past, the Xia Dynasty built a city wall here, but it was a pity that it was in disrepair and dilapidated for a long time. Gaoque and other places, where the water and grass are fertile and the situation is dangerous? I plan to set up Shuofang and Wuyuan counties here, and move the inland refugees to settle here and recuperate."

"What's your opinion?" He raised his eyelids and looked at the officials in the hall.

As soon as this remark came out, everyone in the audience was shocked, but for a while, no one spoke.

At this time, his prestige is already very high, and he is familiar with controlling the power of the emperor. He has done a lot of things during his two years in power, and all of this is the preparation and aftermath work for the Northern Expedition, such as the establishment of the Shangshutai and the establishment of the arsenal. , levy commercial taxes, promulgate the edict of seeking talents, gather talents from all over the world for his use, and so on.

Zhou Zhenyan's political prestige was built on the Northern Expedition. The success of the Northern Expedition meant that he gained more popular support and held higher ruling power.

The first reaction of most people is naturally to object, the Hetao area is really too far away, and most of them have never even been out of Chang'an City.

Everyone immediately set their sights on Prime Minister Murong. Although everyone now finds that the emperor is unwilling to refer to the prime minister's opinion, the prime minister is still the head of all officials after all, so he should be the first to speak .

Prime Minister Murong drooped his eyelids, looking at his nose and heart, as if he didn't hear anything.

He is so old, he only wants to spend the rest of his life in peace, and he really doesn't want to have a collision with the emperor.

Zhou Zhenyan smiled: "Since you all have no objections, then this is the case?..."

"Your Majesty, do you think this matter still needs to be considered?" Gongsun Yang said.

Zhou Zhenxie was not in a hurry, and asked: "Why did Shang Shuling make such a statement?" He was not afraid of the debate, only the deeper and clearer the debate, the more he could make everyone understand? Why? Do this.

Gongsun Yang said slowly: "Since your majesty has been in power, you have mobilized many teachers and mobilized people, and have done so much to waste people's money. It is not appropriate to start large-scale construction projects at this time. During the Xia Dynasty, 30 people were sent to build the Great Wall at the Beihe River, but it failed in the end. It caused the people to complain, but it did not help the major issues of frontier defense. And the Great Wall built in the Hetao area was also because of its uselessness, which led to the entry of the Huns."

During the Xia Dynasty, Emperor Xia was also very ambitious and planned to build a Great Wall in the north to resist the invasion of the Huns. However, at that time, the level of productivity was placed there. There is no way out.And most of the patchwork Great Wall was abandoned halfway, tantamount to wasting the energy of the people for nothing.

Zhou Zhen said: "Building a border county in the Hetao area and building the Great Wall in the Beihe River are two different things. Now that the Huns are powerful, the border county is always facing the threat of harassment from the Huns. Occupying the Hetao area is a necessary condition for counterattacking the Huns. At the beginning, the Xia Dynasty had too much thought and intended to build a defense line for the entire north, so the cost was too high, and the two counties in the area could still handle it with the national strength of Dayue."

"Besides, the Great Wall is not necessarily useless. The reason why the Huns were able to cross the Great Wall was that behind the Great Wall, there was an empty space, and the counties could not rush to support it in time. The establishment of border counties here can just make up for this gap."

Gongsun Yang was stunned for a moment, and silently stepped back to think about what the emperor said.

Zhou Zhen raised the corners of his mouth, and at this moment, a man came out slowly, bowed to the emperor, and said, "I think this is inappropriate."

This person is Tao Jiamu who has been unknown all this time.

Huo Yi sighed and turned his head away.

Tao Jiamu didn't know that the emperor had already made a decision, and coming out to obstruct it would only add to his displeasure, but he also had his own ideas, so he said: "The Xia Dynasty once set up border counties in the south, and the burden of hard labor spread to the whole country. It is already difficult for the people to make a living by farming day and night, not to mention the heavy corvees. In order to connect the Southwestern Yi Road, tens of thousands of people have toiled, and the burden of food for thousands of miles is extremely inefficient. The road has remained impassable for several years. As a result, the barbarians attacked the people on the road several times and suffered heavy losses. At that time, the entire taxation in the Bashu area was not enough to maintain the situation, so they recruited wealthy people to farm in the Nanyi area, sold the harvested grain to the local county magistrate, and then went to Kyoto The internal government’s withdrawal of food funds has made the treasury more and more exhausted, and the government can hardly support this situation.”

The root cause of the collapse of most dynasties is actually the complete collapse of the economy. The economic base determines the superstructure. When the economy collapses, what is the end?

Tao Jiamu is from Shu County, he is very familiar with this period of history, and often feels the pain of the people.

"The tyranny of the corvee is fiercer than the tiger..." Tao Jiamu said in a deep voice: "The laborers can only eat half a cold steamed bun a day, but they have to carry heavy boulders, from the ugly time to the Haishi? , was beaten and scolded for a little carelessness, how many? People died on the road of corvee, it was because the corvee was too heavy that the Chen family rebelled and followed the crowd..."

Providing such a little food every day is not because the imperial court deliberately wanted to treat the servants badly—of course, some officials did make trouble in it and filled their own pockets. The main reason is that the country has so much land and the production method is just like that. , some of them go to war, and some of them serve in labor, so the overall food output will be even less?

Da Viet has not been a place since ancient times? The soil is fertile, the ground is full of grain, and you can eat enough while lying down.

To say that it is because of this that Da Yue has developed an extraordinarily hardworking and unyielding character, and it is inevitable to feel sad when talking about pride—but it is better than lying next door.

After Tao Jiamu finished speaking, even Zhou Zhenyan fell silent.

The suffering of the common people is laid bare in front of him. Zhou Zhenyan can think that this is an investment that will benefit him forever, and he can't ignore the dark side of it.

Just then, Huo Yi stood up.

"Whether it is built or not, the common people will suffer." He said in a deep voice: "Build border counties, and the people will suffer from hard labor; if the border counties are not repaired, the people will suffer from foreign invasion."

He looked at Tao Jiamu with a wry smile: "Since that's the case, it's better to take the initiative. After all, in a war, no matter how sure the victory is, no matter how great the advantage is, some soldiers will die. This is something that must be faced. "

Tao Jiamu also looked at him, and the two had complicated eyes. After a while, Tao Jiamu looked away.

"I didn't think about it. I said it." He cupped his hands and stepped aside.

There was a moment of silence in the court, and Gongsun Yang said: "Forgive me for being stupid, really? I don't know what is the benefit of building these two border counties."

This sentence is actually not so tough. If Zhou Zhenyi can give a reason, no one will be able to raise objections.

He said without any scruples: "I? I'm just afraid that His Majesty will do unrighteous things for his own selfish desires."

Huo Yi took a step forward and said to Gongsun Yang: "Benefits? I? Give you ten? Is it enough?"

Everyone's eyes suddenly fell on Huo Yi, and Huo Yi said firmly: "First, the Hetao area was originally the territory of Dai Viet. To regain this place is to take over the homeland. It is only right and proper. Only in this way can we comfort our ancestors? spirit."

"Secondly, the Hetao area was captured by the army for two? months. They moved quickly and seized it at an excellent time. If they could not set up border guards to guard this area, they would be easily recaptured in the future. I am sorry for those who are on the battlefield. Brothers fighting to the death."

"Thirdly, the Hetao area is outside Jiuyuan County. The Huns can directly attack Chang'an City by crossing Jiuyuan County. Setting up a county in the Hetao area is like putting on a Xuanjia for a person. The Huns can no longer directly threaten Chang'an."

"Fourth, the Hetao area is located between the royal court of the Xiongnu and Dayue. After that, the Xiongnu can no longer easily attack the territory of Dayue. The offensive and defensive momentum between Dayue and the Huns can be completely reversed. We are the ones who have the initiative."

"Fifth, this place is closely connected with the surrounding small countries, and it will be able to contact the dependent countries more quickly in the future. Moreover, there are frontier fortifications and fortifications built by the Xia Dynasty, which can strengthen the defense line of the entire border."

"Sixth, in the future when Da Viet attacks the Xiongnu, grain can be transported directly to Gaoque, greatly reducing the consumption of transporting luggage. Using this as a springboard, the Da Viet army can attack deeper into the desert."

Most of these six points are from the perspective of military operations. However, Huo Yi didn't just consider this aspect.

"Seventh, the people are suffering from annexation, and many people have lost their land and become refugees. Your Majesty plans to move [-] refugees to the Hetao area to settle down. This can not only provide manpower for the Hetao area, but also solve the problem of no land for farming and nowhere to go. The refugee problem. Farming and grazing, using the people to support the soldiers."

"Eighth, the Hetao area is rich in water and grass, and the situation is dangerous? It is a land that is easy to defend but difficult to attack, and has fertile soil. It can provide high-quality horse grass for Dayue's war horses, and can also develop more soil suitable for farming. In time, the Hetao area will become the food capital. The investment made today will surely be fed back to the entire Central Plains in the future.”

"Ninthly, there is a small amount of trade between Dayue and the Xiongnu and surrounding countries. However, due to the long distance and the harassment of horse thieves, the trade route is restless. Building two counties here can open up the trade route between Dayue and the west, my lords. You can also easily enjoy Western food in Chang’an City.”

"tenth……"

Huo Yi looked around, and quickly walked to the center of the hall, where there was a huge vertical map.

"This is the current territory of Dayue." The territory owned by Dayue is a crimson red. He reached out his hand? Dip it in cinnabar, and wiped it hard upwards in the north, just covering the Hetao area.

"Connecting the east-west roads is not just for the development of commercial routes." Huo Yi said sharply: "Everyone, we? We should let the countries in the Western Regions know that in the east there is an empire called Dayue, which will stand here for thousands of generations. "

There was silence in the court, and no one could refute these ten legitimate reasons.

Zhou Zhenyan stood up slowly, his heart was surging, and he said: "What I have done today is useless for the present, but it will be beneficial for the future. This matter consumes a lot of people's energy. In two years, I will suspend the Northern Expedition and send troops to cultivate life and rest. To support the consumption of the two counties."

"I am here? Here is an edict, the descendants of Dayue will no longer be able to expand the territory with the power of poor people like me."

All the ministers knelt down and worshiped.

After they left, Zhang Laiqian still hadn't left.

No matter how impassioned the emperor and General Huo said, it was he who came to make money to do this in the end.

Zhang Laiqian has slowly recovered after the initial blow.He suddenly discovered that compared with the establishment of two counties in the far north, the money to reward the three armies was nothing more than drizzle.

He went early yesterday.

When only Zhou Zhenyan and Huo Yi were left in the hall, Zhang Laiqian stepped forward, but he did not participate in the discussion on whether to establish two border counties? What he raised was a very practical question.

"Your Majesty, there is no money." Zhang Laiqian opened his beautiful phoenix eyes and said calmly, "There is no money to build Shuofang County and Wuyuan County."

Zhou Zhenxue frowned and asked, "Is there any more?"

"After the construction of these two cities, the national treasury of Dayue will be empty." Zhang Laiqian analyzed, "I? Just listened to it, and I have a general understanding of the? What? The situation in the Hetao area."

"Building a city is a major event. At least a dozen or so million soldiers and civilians will be required to serve. Once they serve, the government will not be able to collect their taxes. We have to subtract this part of their income first, and we have to pay their taxes. Invest in food, clothing and housing.”

"The Hetao area is located in a remote area, and there is no official road for transportation. The bricks, stones, and civil engineering needed to build the city need to be transported thousands of miles from the Central Plains to the Hetao area. The transportation fee is very high. , but also?Consider the situation of encountering bandits and bureaucrats on the road to enrich their own pockets." Zhang Laiqian said these problems very frankly, and he said lightly: "A rough calculation will require an investment of tens of millions of dollars."

"All the reserves from Gaozu up to now can only barely cope with all the time, but? The national treasury still has other expenses. If any accident occurs, the national treasury will completely collapse." Zhang Laiqian said slowly: "Your Majesty, you are paving the way with copper coins. , build a city of gold."

The author has something to say:

Giant million = billion